For those facing financial strain...how do you eat healthy?

ladybug1620

I read an article about low cost healthy foods for people on a budget. The items they listed were dry beans, pasta, frozen veggies, sweet potatos, brown rice, eggs.

Here it is if you want to check it out: http://www.beachbody.com/product/p90x-online/newsletters/p90xnl_099.do?code=P90XNEWS_099#article1

Arietmis

Hi!
I don't always buy organic, especially if they have a thick skin that I won't be eating. Here's an article with some info: http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating/eat-safe/Save-on-Sustainable-Gallery-44032808 Do you have any local farm co-ops? Here in Salt Lake you can save a lot of money on produce from buying from your local co-op. It's sometimes difficult because you may not have ever cooked or eaten what comes in your weekly basket (like kale) - though the internet is great for recipe searching and the produce is so fresh, more nutrient packed than store bought and you can ask the farmers about pesticides face to face. Also I plan my menus and try to only buy what I need. I'm amazed how much food I would buy and waste by just "going to the grocery store". I try to plan to cook with what's in season because it's less expensive. Also, consider downsizing your proteins (they are very expensive) and you can get a lot of protein from eggs and beans. Hope that is helpful! Good luck!
Dianna

nrtenagrl

You can eat healthy. It's easier of course to make bad choices, bad food is always cheap and conveniently available in every corner. However, you can find cheap, healthy food as well. The obvious is look at the weekly circulars, buy what is really on sale and stock up if you can. I just discovered that some dollar stores have fresh produce as well. Just be careful and know what is a good deal and what you can get cheaper at a regular grocery store. Also grocery stores that cater to hispanics (maybe others .. asian markets) have very very cheap produce, meats, seafood and chicken. I like to stock up on stuff that I can freeze and use later. The freezer should be your best friend on helping you stay within your budget and eating healthy.

Good luck and know it is possible to eat healthy on a budget!

Hellbent_Heidi

We grow what we can. We buy what we can from the farmer's market and freeze what we can for the winter.

Our budget isn't THAT tight, but we do this to save money, and eat healthier as well. I also roast and freeze sweet corn (from a local stand) this time of year, and it tastes like summer in the dead of winter! Costs very little to make, and makes a lot.

leilani♥

coupons & newspaper ads!

Walmart does a thing where if another store has a better deal than what they have.. You show the cashier the ad and they will match the other stores price.

I always buy my chicken breasts by bulk - rewrap them and freeze. It's pretty much the only meat I eat. I get fish once in awhile since it's so dang expensive and the frozen fish tastes like Poo!

amyllu

I live on my own and I never throw anything away unless really necessary ..i.e. going bad etc. Any left overs from a meal can be easily utilised another day.
With a chicken which I will usually buy from the section where they are sold off cheaply, I roast and have it with my first two days, then boil the whole carcass, allow to cool and then every morsel of meat will just fall off so there is no waste at all. The liquid I add a bit more water to and part used to make a stew with the meat, adding veg and thickening granules which I then put into portions into the freezer. The other liquid can be used as stock in other recipes.

This way I can usually spread 1 chicken over quite a number of days meals.

Marquettedominos

I have gone to mostley eating fruits and veggies. All are fresh or frozen by me for smoothies, Taking my diary for yesterday for example it cost me under $7 to eat total. I do live in a heavily populated area that prices are rather competitive.

If that amount is still a bit high per person for your family I would second the mention of going to a food pantry or food bank. They are great and do have a good variety of items. Some of them being fresh fruits and veggies.

cowboydan43

Good to know I'm not the only one with pricey farmer's markets! One of the ones I go to has signs saying they accept food stamp things. I would basically just echo what everyone else said- I do think a plant-based diet is cheaper than eating meat. Sam's Club has great bulk produce but not everything freezes well. It is stupid how expensive healthy food is. :grumble:

kngarber

Wow...thank you all so much for all the advice. It is so appreciated.

Hellbent_Heidi

I have the food-saver machine as well, and it works like a dream for meat, plain veggies and stuff like that. Maybe you've noticed this....when you try to use it for anything that contains any amount of liquid, the little catch tray fills up, it shuts down and you have to take it apart and dry it out...then next bag...boom, same thing. I gave up and get a mega pack of ziplock freezer bags at Costco every year to use for anything that contains liquid.

SoDamnHungry

Supposedly frozen veggies are even more nutritious than fresh because they're frozen immediately after picking, locking in all the nutrients instead of losing them over time.

Hellbent_Heidi

Supposedly frozen veggies are even more nutritious than fresh because they're frozen immediately after picking, locking in all the nutrients instead of losing them over time.

ah...not sure they're better than fresh, but they are better than canned veggies for sure.

edit: wow, I looked this up and you're quite right. It depends on where you buy them and how long they've been sitting around, but its possible...go figure! My grocery store has the world's worst produce, so I prefer to hit the roadside stands when possible, then shop around at various produce markets in our area (we're fortunate to have a lot of them in the general area, and some are quite cheap if willing to drive a few extra miles)

bstilland

***bump****

Rachaelluvszipped

Watch what's on sale; when seasonal fruits & veggies drop in price, when meats (including fish & poultry) go on sale, when staples go on sale. Then stock up on those items that can be frozen, canned, or pre-cooked and frozen or canned.

If you have a few extra square feet ANYwhere, a small chest freezer is your friend. We got our 7 cu. ft. freezer on Craigslist for $50. It's now on our back porch, but was originally in the dining room when we had a 1 bd apartment for 2 adults and a baby. Being able to buy when it's on sale (vs. when we have room) has saved us a ton of money over the last couple of years.

Totally agree!! Depending if your a picky eater..which I have those people in my household..haha..I am not picky..so I eat whatever is in season, buy meat on sale, freeze a ton...which we love chicken here..so, its easy..and with the holidays coming up chicken and turkey will be up for sale..woohoo! Staples, such as rice and pasta are easily on sale at this time as well..lol, celebrations coming up, of course..just need to make a grocery list and plan ahead prior to going to the store.. make a meal plan for the week/month..and buy according to when you need to or able to..that way its faster and easier...

Check out www.allrecipes.com as it also helps you make a grocery list and menu planning..its great..love that site! Hope this helps!

amy_p

We make healthy foods our priority. We don't spend much going out to movies or attractions, and we shop sales. There are a few name brands we are loyal to (Kashi, Laughing Cow to name a few) but normally we buy store brands. I'd say 90% of our shopping trip is fresh fruits/vegetables, meats, and dairy.

It's totally doable.. we survive on one, very modest income.

dls06

http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=511

http://simplemom.net/11-tips-for-eating-healthy-on-a-budget/

:flowerforyou: Found these oline. Hope it helps.

ShapeUpSidney

They key to saving (imo) is to identify cheap sources of protein. Lentils, beans, quinoa, brown rice, eggs, low fat pork chops, etc.

Also, buy in bulk. Find a quality spice store, and get only a pinch of a spice you know you won't use much of instead of springing for a whole jar at $5.99 at the supermarket. Seriously...how often do I use marjoram? Grow herbs in your garden, and you'll have a cost-effective way to add flavor to boring meals.

You can usually get grains in bulk too. It's a cheap way to avoid eating the same thing for a week straight. For beans, go with the dried variety, as they keep better and are typically much cheaper than canned.

If you buy salad greens, shy away from the red leaf varieties, as they spoil faster. Alternatively, buy a small amount of the red leaf variety to add to regular greens.

bellawares

Do you have a local food co-op you could join? I also buy at my local farmers market. Both of these sources are cheaper then buying at my local grocery chains. You really don't need to buy all organic foods. EWG.org has a list of foods with the most / least amount of pesticides in them. I am on a really tight budget (unemployed actually :grumble: ) and reference this list when I am buying my fruits & veggies.

Here's the link to their list: http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary/

HTH . . .

Nikki582

I write a menu at the start of the fortnight and write down every thing I'll need for each food from that menu - then I go through my pantry and fridge and cross off everything I already have, then I take that list shopping and stick to it - cuts down the bill MASSIVELY and keeps me staying on track with what I'm eating.

I also try to eat less portion and keep the extra of my portion for lunch the next day - therefore using portion control and saving money by having a ready and healthy lunch waiting for me!